Myanmar ruler says only 50pc of villages destroyed
MYANMAR LEADER Aung San Suu Kyi has defended her country against international criticism as over 400,000 Rohingya Muslims flee the country, saying that most of their villages remain intact.
The Nobel Peace laureate’s global image has been damaged by brutal crackdown that followed an attack by Rohingya insurgents on Myanmar, formerly Burma, security forces on August 25.
Members of the persecuted minority said soldiers and Buddhist mobs attacked them.
Ms Suu Kyi told foreign diplomats gathered in Naypyitaw that “more than half ” of Rohingya villages were not affected by the violence.
She invited the diplomats to visit those villages so they could learn, along with the government, “why are they not at each other’s throats in these particular areas”.
Her address came after a human rights organisation warned Rohingya Muslims were being wiped off the map in Burma.
Ms Suu Kyi speech drew a mixed reaction with praise in Myanmar but a scathing response from Rohingya refugees and human rights bodies.
Ms Suu Kyi asked for patience from the international community and suggested the refugees were partly responsible.
Rohingya refugee Sanaullah, speaking in the Kutupalong camp in Bangladesh, said: “Aung San Suu Kyi came to power and spoke of democracy. When she was in jail, we were at peace.
“After she came out of jail, Aung San Suu Kyi became part of the government, when they formed the government, after that the torture started (of Rohingya).”
Another refugee at the same camp, Abdul Hafiz said: “If what she said is not a lie then let the world media in, so that they can see whether we are tortured or we are happy.”
But Russia’s ambassador to Burma Nikolay Listopadov said: “As a first step I think it was a good speech, a good message to the international community.”
The Chinese ambassador Hong Liang also welcomed the contribution, saying: “I think this is a very good speech. It will help the international community have a better understanding of the situation here and in Rakhine and help the international community have a better understanding of the position held by the Myanmar government.”
But James Gomez, Amnesty International’s regional director, said: “Aung San Suu Kyi today demonstrated that she and her government are still burying their heads in the sand over the horrors unfolding in Rakhine state.
“At times, her speech amounted to little more than a mix of untruths and victim blaming . ...
“There is overwhelming evidence that security forces are engaged in a campaign of ethnic cleansing.”
Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch said: “When she says that 50 per cent of the Muslim villages are still present in Rakhine state, what are we talking about? Fifty per cent are gone. Fifty per cent are burnt out. Fifty percent is a failing grade.”